Every teacher I've ever known loves to read. A good teacher gift would be either a book that you can contribute to their classroom or a book on a subject they might enjoy reading.   Another idea is to donate something to a teacher that they can use in their classroom. I always check with the teacher before hand to make sure they could use it. I've donated abandoned birdnests to biology and kindergarten teachers, a large rock with various crystal formations to an elementary school library, (they lend it to classes that discussed it) and an old camera to my son's photography teacher.  You could also use any of the neighbor gift ideas and substitute teacher for neighbor. On the Christmas page of sugardoodle.net, there are some gift ideas that could easily be changed to teacher gifts. Instead of "popcorn ball - hoping you have a ball this season" you could change it to "having a ball this summer". Another one I've done is "Pop, Pop, Fizz, Fizz, oh what a good teacher you iz" and give microwave popcorn and pop.  (Shared by Barb Bennett)

  In the eight years that I taught school, prior to the birth of my twins, I saw many cute and thoughtful end of the year gifts roll in.  However, what meant the very most were the genuine written notes of gratitude from both the parents and the students.  If you have been impressed by the educators in your children’s lives, as I have been by my twins’ teachers this year, may I suggest that you write a letter to their principal, expressing what specifically you valued about that individual.  Don’t forget to forward a copy to the teacher.  You can’t imagine how much impact that simple act of praise can have for well deserving teachers!  (Shared by Erin Linton)

  I put together in a small galvanized bucket from the $2.50 section at Target some snack foods for the teacher.  I figured she will be spending a few extra days at school once the children are gone and will want some snacks.  (Shared by Shay Jenkinson)

  Cookbook - We’ve sent a note home to parents asking for several Family Favorite Recipes and a picture of their child.  In the next week we’ll send a Questionnaire home…it will ask the kids how to make something they like to eat (12 eggs, 100 cups of sugar, some brown water, and bake it in a pan at 10 degrees for 6 hours….hahahaha).  It will also ask them questions about the school year; and I’ll ask those interested to have their kids draw a picture to illustrate the cookbook.  (Shared by Melissa Dillon)

  Here's what we made for my daughters teacher this year. We wanted to give her a Target gift card but do it in a creative way.  (Shared by Liz Carroll)

  This gal's blog has is LDS owned, way cute and super affordable.  They ship too!  You can order just vinyl or buy the whole thing.  I use them all the time.  (Shared by Kelli Mullins)

  (Shared by Taunya Ferguson)  My children and I are making candy bar posters for their teachers. The last two years we've given their teachers an awesome book from Usborne Books ~ which I sell (www.ubah.com/p2506). This year we wanted to do something different. We are hoping for a candybar sale this week, so the poster isn't done yet, but this is what it will say:

Dear (teacher's name),

I just wanted to TAKE 5 minutes and tell you what  a SPECIAL teacher you have been. I couldn't have found a better teacher if I searched all across the MILKY WAY! You deserve a paycheck worth 100 GRAND so you can go on a shopping SPREE on 5TH AVENUE this summer. It was such a JOY to be in your class. I had MOUNDS of fun. Thanks for helping me SKOR as your student. I hope this card made you SNICKER! You are the best BAR NONE!!

From, (child's name)

(___) grade ROCKS because of you!!